Data processing equipment including improved keyboard

ABSTRACT

A typewriter is operated rapidly by providing a keyboard which is operated by finger or thumb movement only, storing coded signals from the keyboard and de-coding the signals to operate the typewriter, the signals being supplied to the typewriter at the optimum speed for operation of the typewriter.

United States Patent 1151 3, Maling [45] Sept. 19, 1972 DATA PROCESSINGEQUIPMENT [56] References Cited n 322 Aylesbury 3: 8 2,751,433 6/1956Lirger ..346/74 MP 3,465,302 9/1969 Andrews et a] ..340/i 72.5 [22]Filed: Oct. 1, 1969 3,045,218 7/1962 Brand ..340/ 174.1 R [2]] AppL NOJ862,780 3,125,748 3/1964 MacRoberts et al..346/74 MP PrimaryExaminer-Bemard Konick [30] Foreign Application Priority Data AssistantExaminer-Gary M. Hoffman 01.4,196s Great Britain ..47,270/68 Emma 520.8. Ci. ..346/74 M, 178/17 0, 340/1725, [57] ABSTRACT 340/l74.1 G Atypewriter is operated rapidly by providing a [51] Int. Cl. ..Gl lb 5/02keyboard which is operated by finger or thumb move- [58] Field ofSearch...346/74 MP, 8 M; 340/l74.l G, ment only, storing coded signalsfrom the keyboard and de-coding the signals to operate the typewriter,the signals being supplied to the typewriter at the optimum speed foroperation of the typewriter.

9 Claims, 2 Drawing Figures DATA PROCESSING EQUIPMENT INCLUDING IMPROVEDKEYBOARD This invention relates to an improved system for providing averbal input to data-processing equipment. Although the invention willbe specifically described in relation to the control of an electrictypewriter, it may be applied to other systems requiring an input in theform of word-representative series of characters.

The expression verbal data is used herein in a broad sense to includeany data which is generally verbal in character including for examplecomputer programs as well as conventional words.

The invention provides apparatus adapted for use in processing verbaldata comprising (a) a keyboard adapted to generate coded signalscorresponding to verbal data, the keyboard lying generally within thespan of the operator's hands and being adapted to fit the hands so thatonly movement of the fingers or thumbs is required to operate thekeyboard, and (b) means for storing the coded signals for subsequentprocessing.

The invention also provides a method of processing verbal datacomprising the steps of generating coded signals corresponding to theverbal data by operating a keyboard which lies generally within the spanof the operators hands and is adapted to fit the hands so that onlymovement of the fingers or thumbs is required to operate the keyboard,and storing the coded signals for subsequent processing.

As applied for example to the control of a typewriter, a systemembodying the invention by way of example comprises the following mainsubsystems:

1. Keyboard 2. Buffer store 3. Main store 4. Electric typewriter Thekeyboard is characterized by:

a. Being so shaped to fit the hands that only movement of the fingersand thumbs is required to close the key contacts, and no movement of thehands or arms is required.

b. By keys being provided both above and below the rest positions of thedigits so as to increase the total number of keys which may be actuated.

o. By closure of the key contacts being effected either in oneembodiment by mechanical movement produced by pressure from theappropriate digit or, in another embodiment, by means responsive to theproximity of the appropriate digit.

d. By comprising one or more keys each capable of producing differentcontact actions in response to greater or less applied pressure of asingle digit, thusv again increasing the total number of switch actionswhich may be provided.

e. By being so shaped as to be comfortably supported upon the knees ofan operator yet also to be capable of being supported stably upon a flatsurface.

The buffer store which is directly controlled by the actuation of thekeyboard contacts serves the purpose of storing the combinations ofcontact operations of the keyboard and of passing these combinations onto the main store at an appropriate rate, thus allowing continuous useof the keyboard despite the necessarily discontinuous action of thetypewriter.

The function of the main store is:

a. To store codes representing all the combinations of key actuationfrom the keyboard and to convert these codes into signals suitable fordriving the typewriter.

b. To respond to particular codes or code combinations by developingseries of signals which when applied to the typewriter result in therecording of predetermined words or phrases.

c. To provide to the typewriter actuating signals which are so timed asto take into account the limitations resulting from the construction ofthe typewriter: thus closely-spaced typebars cannot be operated in asrapid succession as more widely spaced typebars, in order to avoidinterference between the typebars, to ensure adequate time for carriagereturn, and so on. It should be possible to vary the: speed factors hereadopted, in order to adapt the store for use with differently respondingtypewriters. v

d. The store is so programmed as to minimize the amount of codedinformation required to represent the most commonly used characters andfunctions.

e. The store should be so constructed that information contained in thestore can only be erased as a result of a deliberate operation requiringactions which do not form any part of the normal operating programme ofthe system.

The typewriter used in the system must be capable of, and preferablydesigned for, conversion to accept print-out signals from the mainstore. It will be advantageous if the printing gate is modified to givethe type bars a one-way locus and hence minimize interference betweenthe type-bars during high speed operation.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a keyboard comprising twosets of ten keys.

At the left-hand side of the FIG. 1 are illustrated three alternativearrangements for digital key-contact operation. A digit 1 is positionedbetween two pressure-actuated contact sets 2 and 3, pressure upwardsthus closes contact set 2, while downward pressure closes contact set 3.Either contact set may be omitted should a particular operator not havethe capability of effectively operating it.

A digit 5 is disposed between proximity-sensitive plates 6, 7 each ofwhich is electrically connected to a respective sensitive circuit 8, 9which is adjusted to respond to close association of a digit with therespec- -tive plate. Each of circuits 8, 9 which in practice maycomprise an oscillator which commences or ceases to oscillate inresponse to increased capacitance to earth associated with therespective plate, a rectifier converting the oscillator output into achange of direct current and a relay responsive to the change in currentto alter the setting of a contact set is arranged to close therespective one of contact sets 10, 11 in response to close proximity ofthe digit with the respective sensing plate.

A digit 15 is shown associated with two dual-pressure contact sets 16and 17. Each of these contact sets includes a first pair of contacts16a, 17a which is closed by a first pressure in the appropriatedirection and a second pair of contacts 16b, 17b, which is closed by asecond and increased pressure in the same direction. It will be seenthat four different contact conditions may thus be obtained in responseto movement of a single digit.

The code conditions set up by digital actuation of the contact sets 2,3, 10, ll, 16 and 17 are fed by way of a cable 20 into a buffer store30. In buffer store 30 the code combinations established by theactuation of the key contacts, of which there may obviously be more setsthan are shown in the drawing, are stored temporarily and fed out to amain store 40 as called up. As set out previously, main store 40 isarranged to accept both code combinations representing the 44 charactersand five functions of the standard typewriter and also other codecombinations chosen to represent words and/or phrases commonly used inthe work for which the system is employed. In response to a word orphrase combination the main store yields to the typewriter 50, over acable 51, signals causing the required word or phrase to be typed at themaximum speed of which the machine is capable. During such times as themain store is causing the typewriter to type a word or phrase the codecombinations established by the keyboard contacts are stored in thebuffer store until called up by the main store when the word or phrasehas been completed.

Assuming that all ten digits are employed to control two key contactseach a total of 20 contact operations can be produced. By taking allcode permutations formed by a unique pair of key contact actuations atotal of some 400 codes is possible. Thus allowing for direct operationof the typewriter there remain some 350 code permutations which may beused to initiate the typing of selected words or phrases. Alternativelycombinations may be used rather than permutations but this reduces thenumber of available codes.

The distribution of word usage is such that normal communication followszipfs law, that is, the frequency of occurrence of a word is inverselyproportional to its rank order. This means that although two key choicesare required for each character, word or phrase, the resultant number ofcharacters selected per key actuation is greater than unity and variesupwards depending upon the subject matter of the communication and thechoice of words and phrases in the store.

As a result the system may permit for example an increase in the averagetyping speed to approximately double that for the same rate of keyselection in a normal typewriter. As the physical movement required forkey selection is very slight the rate of key selection may beconsiderably increased over that possible with a standard typewriter,with the result that typing speeds become possible which are similar tonormal shorthand or stenotype speeds. The learning of shorthand maytherefore by replaced by the learning of the vocabulary available in thetyping system.

Since only light currents are controlled by the keyboard, this may beconnected to the remainder of the system by a flexible cable, so thatdirect dictation to the keyboard operator is possible without disturbingnoise. The typewriter itself may be positioned under a sound-proof coverin the same room, or possibly without such a cover in an adjoining orremote room.

It is an advantage of a communication system of the kind described abovethat owing to the fact that minimal digital movement is required tooperate the key contacts it may be used by almost wholly paralyzedoperators but its usefulness is by no means restricted to suchapplications. When an operator has one or more digits immobilized orabsent the key combinations to which the main store responds may bechanged so that all typewriter functions may be produced by theavailable code combinations. Also with disabled operators the span ofthe keyboard may be reduced to lie within the span of what the'operatorhas available, e.g., only one hand may be available. If necessarycombinations of three key actuations may be employed to supplement theavailable two-key combinations. This latter expedient may be employed toenlarge the vocabulary of a system for use by the fully able.

The typewriter is operated at the maximum speed which is obtainablewithout clashing of the typebars. The typewriter comprises for example aplurality of small solenoids (not shown) one below each key and arrangedto operate its key in response to a signal from the main store.

FIG. 2 illustrates a keyboard comprising two sets of ten keys each pairof upper and lower keys, e.g., keys I and II being operated by upward ordownward movement of the same finger. It will be realized that thiskeyboard permits 400 different permutations of codes each codecomprising two digits e.g., (1,2), (1,11), (11,1) provided that theequipment is arranged to distinguish between different permutations asopposed to merely distinguishing between different combinations, e.g.,to distinguish (1,2) from (2,1 (1,2) is obtained by operating first key1 followed by key 2 whereas 2,1) is obtained by operating first key 2followed by key 1. If three codes are employed, e.g., (1,2,3),(13,11,14), it will be realized that even more permutations arepossible; even four codes may be employed in appropriate cases.

In a test it was found that a 50 per cent increase in typing outputcould be obtained by having codes corresponding to the 400 most commonwords found in 100,000 different words which appeared in 5 million wordsof running text, these codes being in addition to those corresponding tothe 49 normal typewriter functions.

In a modification of the apparatus the output from the main store isrecorded on magnetic tape for subsequent reproduction. It will berealized that the tape or the direct output from the main store may beused to control equipment other than a typewriter, e.g., a duplicatingmachine, an automatic type-setting machine, or a computer (in which casethe programme is generated at the keyboard).

It is believed that the invention is useful for any verbal data having avocabulary of for example 40 words or more.

In another modification a data display unit is coupled to the main storeand displays the data in de-coded form before it is supplied to thetypewriter or the like;

this can be used to facilitate making corrections prior to supply of theoutput to the typewriter, by providing at the keyboard codes forrestraining the output from the main store and releasing the output whenrequired and for providing cancellation and correction facilities.

In modifications of the keyboard the operation is by sideways fingermovement rather than up and down movement. Also sideways movement may becombined with up and down movement to actuate several keys. Also use maybe made of various flexing movements of the fingers.

The input from one keyboard may be used to supply output to more thanone typewriter or the like, or for example the output could be used tooperate simultaneously by a type-setting machine and a display unit atan editor's desk.

What I claim is:

l. Typewriting apparatus comprising (a) a keyboard adapted to generatesignals corresponding to coded verbal data represented by combinationsof key actuations with certain single codes each corresponding to apredetermined complete wording, the keyboard being arranged so that itmay be operated by finger or thumb movement only with substantially nobodily movement of the hand or arm and comprising an upper series ofkeys and a lower series of keys, a space being defined between saidupper series and said lower series for the reception of the operatorsfingers, (b) typewriting mechanism adapted to reproduce the verbal datain decoded form, and (0) means for receiving the signaloutput from thekeyboard and for operating the typewriter mechanism in response to saidoutput, said means being programmed to develop said predeterminedcomplete wordings at the typewriter mechanism in response to outputsignals from the keyboard corresponding to said single codes.

2. In verbal data handling apparatus, the combination of (a) a keyboardadapted to generate signals corresponding to coded verbal datarepresented by com binations of key actuations, the keyboard beingarranged so that it may be operated by finger or thumb movement onlywith substantially no bodily movement of the hand or arm and comprisingan upper series of keys and a lower series of keys, a space beingdefined between said upper series and said lower series for thereception of the operators fingers and (b) buffer means for storingsignals from the keyboard and simultaneously delivering a signal-output,said buffer means having a storage capacity sufficient to store signalsfrom the keyboard substantially independently of the rate ofsimultaneous signal output from the butter means.

3. The combination of claim 2, further comprising means for receivingthe output from the bufier means and for recording data corresponding tosaid output on magnetic tape.

4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the verbal data is computerprogramming data and further comprising means for receiving the outputfrom the buffer means and for programming a computer with data generatedat the keyboard.

5. In typewriting apparatus the combination of (a) a keyboard adapted togenerate signals corresponding to coded verbal data represented bycombinations of key actuations with certain single codes eachcorresponding to a predetermined complete wording, the keyboard beingarranged so that it may be operated by finger or thumb movement onlywith substantially no bodily movement of the hand or arm and comprisingan upper series of keys and a lower series of keys, a space beingprovided between said upper series and said lower series for thereception of the operators fingers,

and (b) means for receiving the signal-output from the keyboard and foroperating a typewriter mechanism in response to said output, said meansbeing programmed to develop said predetermined complete wordings at thetypewriter mechanism in response to output signals from the keyboardcorresponding to said single codes.

6. Data handling apparatus comprising:

a: means including a digitally actuated keyboard adapted by combinationsof key actuations to generate input electrical signals corresponding tocoded verbal data and comprising an upper series of keys and a lowerseries of keys, a space being defined between said upper series and saidlower series for the reception of the operators fingers,

b. transfer means,

c. buffer means directly electrically connected between said signalgenerating means and said transfer means adapted to receive and storesaid input signals in coded combinations,

(1. said transfer means being adapted for receiving coded combinationsignals from said buffer means at a controlled rate and for producingoutput signals, said buffer means having a storage capacity sufficientto store input signals independently or the rate the buffer meanssimultaneously supplies coded combination signals to said transfermeans, and

e. reproducing means directly electrically connected to the output ofsaid transfer means for receiving the output signals from said. transfermeans and reproducing data corresponding to the signals generated atsaid keyboard.

7. In the data handling apparatus defined in claim 6, said reproducingmeans comprising typewriting mechanism adapted to reproduce the verbaldata in decoded form.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein certain single codes generatedat said keyboard each correspond to a predetermined complete wording andsaid transfer means is programmed to develop said predetermined completewordings at the typewriter mechanism in response to output from thebuffer means corresponding to said single codes.

9. Data handling apparatus comprising:

a. means including a digitally actuated keyboard adapted by combinationsof key actuations to generate input electrical signals corresponding tocoded verbal data, at least one key being dually actuable, one actuationbeing produced by a lesser digital pressure and the other by a greaterdigital pressure,

b. transfer means,

c. buffer means directly electrically connected between said signalgenerating means and said transfer means adapted to receive and storesaid input signals in coded combinations,

d. said transfer means being adapted for receiving coded combinationsignals from said buffer means at a controlled rate and for producingoutput signals, said buffer means having a storage capacity sufficientto store input signals independently of the rate the buffer meanssimultaneously supplies coded combination signals to said transfermeans, and

e. reproducing means directly electrically connected to the output ofsaid transfer means for receiving the output signals from said transfermeans and reproducing data corresponding to the signals generated atsaid keyboard.

1. Typewriting apparatus comprising (a) a keyboard adapted to generatesignals corresponding to coded verbal data represented by combinationsof key actuations with certain single codes each corresponding to apredetermined complete wording, the keyboard being arranged so that itmay be operated by finger or thumb movement only with substantially nobodily movement of the hand or arm and comprising an upper series ofkeys and a lower series of keys, a space being defined between saidupper series and said lower series for the reception of the operator''sfingers, (b) typewriting mechanism adapted to reproduce the verbal datain decoded form, and (c) means for receiving the signal-output from thekeyboard and for operating the typewriter mechanism in response to saidoutput, said means being programmed to develop said predeterminedcomplete wordings at the typewriter mechanism in response to outputsignals from the keyboard corresponding to said single codes.
 2. Inverbal data handling apparatus, the combination of (a) a keyboardadapted to generate signals corresponding to coded verbal datarepresented by combinations of key actuations, the keyboard beingarranged so that it may be operated by finger or thumb movement onlywith substantially no bodily movement of the hand or arm and comprisingan upper series of keys and a lower series of keys, a space beingdefined between said upper series and said lower series for thereception of the operator''s fingers and (b) buffer means for storingsignals from the keyboard and simultaneously delivering a signal-output,said buffer means having a stOrage capacity sufficient to store signalsfrom the keyboard substantially independently of the rate ofsimultaneous signal output from the buffer means.
 3. The combination ofclaim 2, further comprising means for receiving the output from thebuffer means and for recording data corresponding to said output onmagnetic tape.
 4. The combination of claim 2, wherein the verbal data iscomputer programming data and further comprising means for receiving theoutput from the buffer means and for programming a computer with datagenerated at the keyboard.
 5. In typewriting apparatus the combinationof (a) a keyboard adapted to generate signals corresponding to codedverbal data represented by combinations of key actuations with certainsingle codes each corresponding to a predetermined complete wording, thekeyboard being arranged so that it may be operated by finger or thumbmovement only with substantially no bodily movement of the hand or armand comprising an upper series of keys and a lower series of keys, aspace being provided between said upper series and said lower series forthe reception of the operator''s fingers, and (b) means for receivingthe signal-output from the keyboard and for operating a typewritermechanism in response to said output, said means being programmed todevelop said predetermined complete wordings at the typewriter mechanismin response to output signals from the keyboard corresponding to saidsingle codes.
 6. Data handling apparatus comprising: a. means includinga digitally actuated keyboard adapted by combinations of key actuationsto generate input electrical signals corresponding to coded verbal dataand comprising an upper series of keys and a lower series of keys, aspace being defined between said upper series and said lower series forthe reception of the operator''s fingers, b. transfer means, c. buffermeans directly electrically connected between said signal generatingmeans and said transfer means adapted to receive and store said inputsignals in coded combinations, d. said transfer means being adapted forreceiving coded combination signals from said buffer means at acontrolled rate and for producing output signals, said buffer meanshaving a storage capacity sufficient to store input signalsindependently or the rate the buffer means simultaneously supplies codedcombination signals to said transfer means, and e. reproducing meansdirectly electrically connected to the output of said transfer means forreceiving the output signals from said transfer means and reproducingdata corresponding to the signals generated at said keyboard.
 7. In thedata handling apparatus defined in claim 6, said reproducing meanscomprising typewriting mechanism adapted to reproduce the verbal data indecoded form.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein certain singlecodes generated at said keyboard each correspond to a predeterminedcomplete wording and said transfer means is programmed to develop saidpredetermined complete wordings at the typewriter mechanism in responseto output from the buffer means corresponding to said single codes. 9.Data handling apparatus comprising: a. means including a digitallyactuated keyboard adapted by combinations of key actuations to generateinput electrical signals corresponding to coded verbal data, at leastone key being dually actuable, one actuation being produced by a lesserdigital pressure and the other by a greater digital pressure, b.transfer means, c. buffer means directly electrically connected betweensaid signal generating means and said transfer means adapted to receiveand store said input signals in coded combinations, d. said transfermeans being adapted for receiving coded combination signals from saidbuffer means at a controlled rate and for producing output signals, saidbuffer means having a storage capacity sufficient to store input signalsindependently of the rate the buffer means simultaneously supplies codedcombinatIon signals to said transfer means, and e. reproducing meansdirectly electrically connected to the output of said transfer means forreceiving the output signals from said transfer means and reproducingdata corresponding to the signals generated at said keyboard.